We Need the Storm

I’ve had my head in the clouds for some time, and now that I’m safe on the ground again it’s time to do all the things. I feel less sluggish and lazy, I’m in an amazing mood, and I feel like, at the moment at least, nothing can phase me. . . or stop me for that matter. This is the me I know and love. This is the bad ass self I’ve come to expect and appreciate. So, do all the things I must, and crossing shit off my list just adds to the high for me. There’s nothing I can’t do and I can’t accomplish.

I’m sleeping through the night again, where for months I’ve been experiencing broken sleep. It could be due to being more active again, or it could be because I’m comfortable with where I’m at and what I’m doing. Or some combination of the two. Better sleep equals more productivity equals better sleep. . . You get the idea.

This morning I woke up before my 7am alarm and laid there a moment, listening to traffic pass by my window, enjoying the filtered light through my closed curtains. I checked my email, bank account, Facebook notifications, WordPress activity, and finally rolled out of bed. I opened my blinds and my curtains, tore off yesterday’s calendar page and was met with this for my Monday morning greeting.

It’s a continuing theme here recently, and I’m following the mindset.

Between making coffee and showering and otherwise readying for my day, I posted inspiration to the So, This is Real Life Facebook page, text friends, listened to music. . . I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed living this life. This ever busy, joyful life.

Which brings me to today’s quote.

As I ran out the door this morning I remembered to glance in my quote book so I could think on the topic through out my day, posted the quote to the Facebook page, and went on about it.

It is not the light that we need, but fire; It is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake. – Frederick Douglas

Me personally, I live for the hectic and busy. I’ve known nothing but this for so long that doing anything other is boring to me, and I become complacent. I need the whirlwind.

In a more general sense though. . .

Sometimes we need life to throw us the curve balls and shake shit up with an earthquake. And to expect life to go along peacefully without some crazy shit, without some uncomfortable shit, without some shit that forces us to wake up and take notice. . . That’s where complacency comes from. That’s where life gets stagnant and boring. That’s when you stop appreciating what the fuck you have and just start expecting shit. Don’t be upset when life gets insane. Roll with it. Look to see what you’re supposed to be learning. Try and comprehend what the fuck you’re missing, what you need to be changing, how you can be better. Life isn’t about staying in one place. Life is about moving forward and kicking ass.

I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with the light and the gentle by any means. But the crazy earthquake makes you appreciate the quiet times. There’s so much beauty after a storm; and without some rain, you don’t get a rainbow. Haven’t you ever heard trees grow better after a wildfire? We’re no different. Fire brings life, earthquakes open shit up, whirlwinds blow shit around so you can see what’s underneath. . . Again, you get the idea.

Don’t run from life when it gets crazy. Brace yourself and ride out the earthquake, hang tight through the whirlwind, and embrace the beauty and strength the fire brings to you.

Happy Monday. Don’t take a seemingly bad situation at face value. Look for what it can teach you.